Publisher: Dark Horse Comics
Writer: Bill Morrison
Artist: Tone Rodriguez
Editor: Daniel Chabon
Release date: OUT NOW!
Price: $3.99
Dark Horse Comics
In Dead Vengeance #2 John Doe was a radio star framed by the mob for the murder of his wife. Now, ten years later, he comes back from the dead seeking vengeance. Oh, I guess that’s where they got the title from!
The second instalment of Dead Vengeance #2 tells how Johnny Dover a.k.a. John Doe managed to escape from prison and his date with the electric chair and seeks the help of carnival fortune teller Madame Cansino. When the man responsible for his wife’s death is arrested and sentenced to ten years for another crime, John Doe has to disappear for a decade before he can get his hands on him. Madame Cansino has a novel idea in that respect but it’s not one any sane person would consider. But then, who ever said John Doe was sane?
There’s a bit too much back story in Dead Vengeance #2 bogging down the momentum of the plot but the novel form of time travel grafted onto a fairly ‘standard wrongly accused man seeks justice plot’ gives it a novel twist.
If Dead Vengeance #2 kicks into high gear with the next issue this could be a real gem but it needs to get its act together quickly before it strangles itself with its own exposition.
Reviewer: Gary Orchard
Reviews Editor: Steve Hooker